Jeff Maltby - Chinatown Murals 1

On Fisgard Street, Victoria's Chinatown's main street, there are three Maltby murals. The one pictured above may be found opposite the Chinese Public School. It is a group portrait of the Lee Mong Kow family of Chinese immigrants in 1905. Maltby always manages to bring his characters to life with thoughtful, friendly expressions.

Tam Kung Temple

If you stand on the corner of Fisgard and Government Streets in Victoria's Chinatown and look northeast you will see this large dragon on the side of a narrow building. The dragon mural is by artist Robert Amos assisted by the children of the Chinese Public School and commemorates Chinatown's 150th anniversary a few years ago. But the building holds another treasure, the Tam Kung Temple. That tiny sign on the upper left corner of the above building says, "Chinese Temple Top Floor". Come along with me tomorrow to explore this a little more.

Black Velvet

There is so much interesting entertainment available on the Inner Harbour Causeway that I often neglect the many performers who provide music in other downtown locations. Above is a musician I look forward to listening to again. His name is Michael Thompson, AKA "Black Velvet" - a name that goes perfectly with a voice that sounds marinated in whiskey when he sings the blues on Fisgard Street. Michael says he has to sing because he has all these songs in his head and his neighbors complain if he lets them loose when he's at home. I'm glad his neighbors have got such poor taste since I found it a real pleasure to sit and listen to this accomplished performer.